Turmoil in Aftermath of Turkish Earthquake

According to reports, the death toll in eastern Turkey has risen to at least 138 people, with a possibly higher count expected when crews go through the rubble from collapsed buildings.

Tens of thousands have been affected in the district of Celebigag and the hardest hit area, Ercis, which is close to the Iranian border and has a population of about 75,000. Van, another city south of Ercis, also sustained damage.

Up to 80 buildings collapsed in Ercis, including a dormitory, and 10 collapsed in Van, the Turkish Red Crescent said. And prison inmates in Van escaped when a wall fell.

During the quake, people fled into the streets and phone lines were jammed with people calling relatives and friends.

I have a couple friends in Turkey but luckily they are in the western part of the country, near the capital, Ankara (that's right, Istanbul is not the capital, though it is Constantinople).

There were more than 100 aftershocks recorded in the 10 hours after the quake, according to the Associated Press.

I just really hope this ancient fault line we're on doesn't get that active.